By Disun Amosun
Speaker of Nigeria House of Representatives, the Rt. Hon Abbas Tajudeen yesterday inaugurated and gave clear mandate to a 21-member Reps Ad hoc Committee to oversight peaceful and democratic governance in Rivers State following declaration of Emergency Rule there
The Ad hoc Committee chaired by the House Majority Leader Rep. Prof. Julius Ihonvbere is made up of the six zonal caucus leaders, jey principal officers of thr House of Representatives as well as other carefully chosen members with wealth of experience in managing intricate situations, including the erstwhile Deputy Speaker Rep. Idris Wase.
The Speaker noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took the decisive action out of genuine patriotism and a deep concern for the security and welfare of both the people of Rivers State and the country as a whole. In his address, the President emphasized that his intervention was driven by the imperative to restore peace and to ensure that governance continues unhindered.
The Speaker emphasized that the President’s declaration was based on the provisions of Section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and followed careful deliberation in the face of grave crises threatening public order.
Abbas tasked the newly inaugurated ad hoc committee with overseeing the administration of Rivers State during the present emergency period, adding that the moment marks not only a critical milestone in Nigeria’s constitutional mandate but also a display of dedication to transparent governance and the rule of law in the country.
“On 18 March 2025, the President and Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a six-month State of Emergency in Rivers State. This decisive action was taken out of genuine patriotism and a deep concern for the security and welfare of both the people of Rivers State and our country as a whole. In his address, the President emphasised that his intervention was driven by the imperative to restore peace and to ensure that governance continues unhindered.
“His declaration was based on the provisions of Section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and followed careful deliberation in the face of grave crises threatening public order.
“The President’s extraordinary actions were not taken lightly. They reflect a profound sense of duty and responsibility and a recognition that when democratic institutions falter, decisive action is necessary to protect the interests of the nation. This same sense of duty underpins our proceedings today”, he added.
Recalling past incidences when State of Emergencies were declared in parts of the country, the Speaker said ,”any time when any House of Assembly of a State is unable to perform its functions by reason of the situation prevailing in that State, the National Assembly may make such laws for the peace, order and good government of that State with respect to matters on which a House of Assembly may make laws as may appear to the National Assembly to be necessary or expedient until such time as the House of Assembly is able to resume its functions; and any such laws enacted by the National Assembly pursuant ito this section shall have effect as if they were laws enacted by the House of Assembly of the State.
“Accordingly, in response to the President’s declaration and in accordance with our constitutional duty, the official Gazette of the State of Emergency was duly transmitted to both the House and Senate. On 20th March 2025, the chambers deliberated extensively and approved the President’s request with significant amendments designed to reinforce democratic safeguards and ensure robust oversight. These resolutions were duly forwarded to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation for implementation. The Certified True Copies of this will be made available to this Committee”. He stated further.
